Late Show host Stephen Colbert delivered a sharp analysis of newly released court documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein during his Wednesday night program, focusing on emails that suggest former President Donald Trump had knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct.
Damning Email Evidence Revealed
The recently unsealed files contain what Colbert described as "damning" evidence of the relationship between Trump and Epstein, who were once close associates. In a particularly revealing 2015 email exchange, journalist Michael Wolff informed Epstein that CNN planned to question Trump about their friendship.
Epstein responded by offering to "craft" a message for Trump, a detail that Colbert highlighted as particularly suspicious. "That is never a good sign when Jeffrey Epstein is trying to help you draft a response like some kind of perverted Clippy," Colbert remarked, referencing Microsoft's widely disliked digital assistant from the 1990s.
Colbert's Satirical Take on Epstein's Involvement
The comedian then launched into an impression of what Epstein's assistance might have sounded like, adopting the persona of the infamous paperclip helper. "Looks like you're trying to avoid questions about sex crimes," Colbert said in character. "Would you like help? I can make it a newsletter."
Further examination of the documents revealed that Wolff suggested Epstein could assist Trump with the expectation of "generating a debt" if Trump won the White House. Colbert didn't mince words in his assessment of this arrangement, stating bluntly, "OK, that's blackmail."
The Implications of Epstein's Involvement
Colbert elaborated on why the situation appeared particularly concerning, explaining that blackmail only works when there's damaging information to conceal. "That's why you never hear a mobster say, 'Hey, give me $1,000 or everyone's gonna find out that you donate to Meals on Wheels,'" he quipped, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations contained within the released documents.
The Wednesday night monologue provided Canadians with Colbert's signature comedic perspective on the ongoing developments in the Epstein case, which continues to generate headlines years after the financier's death while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
